Corona scare vietnam

This was to be a Facebook post but it is just too verbose to do there. Instead I will write this as a blog and link it. Sorry if my spelling or grammar goes a bit off track. That’s my style. Tonight I had dinner and drinks with my very good friend and business partner Hau@vexploretravel.com As we were sitting for dinner, the news announced that all international flights were suspended until 3nd of April and perhaps longer. This is a very big deal to my friends that live in Vietnam and the reason why I booked a rushed flight back to Canada. Let me explain, ant to those of you who think you know everything……… screw off!
For the past week I have been on tour in the central highlands returning via Qui Nhon and Tuy Hoa. I noticed halfway through that the locals were seeming to be shy of us rather than being the typical curious people. About the same time I see on the news (I have basic Vietnamese skills) that there was a warning to beware foreigners not wearing masks to cover their mouths. This was because of 7 people from the UK that had arrived infected and were able to bypass security somehow. Locals started to deny me access to stores and would move fearfully away when we walked past. I became very concerned as I have lived here a long time. In most cases I could calm them as I can speak basic Vietnamese.
With the flights and borders closing due to Corona, I considered staying in Vietnam and riding it out. Nha Trang is the best and possibly only place to be because or the western tourist saturation. After a lot of thinking, I decided to fast track it out of the country. My fears are coming true………… To all my expat friends and those that follow my posts…….. heed this! You decide what to do.
The country wide news has sensationalized that foreigners are the biggest threat to Vietnamese health. The government has put responsibility of increased infection on the backs of the provincial government. This is creating major prejudice against foreigners so Hanoi has come out with a policy of anti semitism that is mostly being ignored. All expats leaving to renew visas will not be allowed back. Those that are renewing visas are starting to be rejected by the very places they have leased for years. Expat friends in Saigon are being refused to eat in restaurants they have been going to for years……. I get it. I was in a restaurant and watches as customers pulled up then drove off fearing to eat in a place where I sat……… call it crazy but that is the state of things.
To my friends…….. Saigon seems ok away from tourist area as long as masked but for how long? Tourist area shut down from what I hear. All the foreign tourists (currently Russians) will return home over the next weeks and it will only be you to deal with the increasing distrust of the locals. Tonight I spent the evening with my bud and partner. He just returned to Saigon because the hotels would not honor reservations for foreigners
I do not like to give advice, however, here is my opinion for the near foreigners…….WTF. WEAR A MASK ANYTIME YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE. If nothing more, it will show you that you respect the situation. If you do not…………. You get what you deserve…… Go ahead and bee an asshole.
I do have more details about this but am writing after half a dozen beers. Feel free to message me and I will tell you what I can.
the foreign tourists (currently Russians) will return home over the next weeks and it will only be you to deal with the increasing distrust of the locals. Tonight I spent the evening with my bud and partner. He just returned to Saigon because the hotels would not honor reservations for foreigners